JOHANNESBURG, 16 March 2003 — Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan yesterday tipped India to win the World Cup and Sachin Tendulkar as the man to deliver the golden goods. “I didn’t think any team could challenge Australia at the start of the tournament — they were untouchable. But after watching India’s performances over the past few weeks, I think Saurav Ganguly’s team now have a very good chance of winning the final in Johannesburg,” Imran told the BBC Urdu service. “The credit has to go to Sachin Tendulkar. His wonderful innings against Pakistan boosted team morale and, in turn, has since sparked a fantastic run of form for the rest of the team.” Imran, who led Pakistan to the 1992 world title in Australia, also believes that India have the batting depth to take them to the championship. “Against New Zealand on Friday we saw Mohammed Kaif, who wasn’t playing to his full potential, come good when India needed him to. This is a sign of a world-class team — finding your form for the big matches. The Australians will have noted the Indians strong all-round performances. And I think Ricky Ponting’s team are missing the extra edge in the bowling department that Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie would normally give them.”

Zimbabwe’s Olonga

Calls It Quits

EAST LONDON — Zimbabwean fast bowler Henry Olonga announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday saying his anti-government protest made it difficult for him to return to his country. “I have been receiving threatening e-mails since the protests which I believe have made it dangerous for me to return to Zimbabwe,” Olonga said. Olonga and teammate Andy Flower, who has also retired from the international game, wore black arm-bands during his team’s World Cup opener against Namibia in protest at the government of President Robert Mugabe. “It is with great sadness that I am officially announcing my retirement from international cricket,” the 26-year-old said in a statement. “My continued involvement with the Zimbabwean team has become untenable. “The stand I took earlier in the World Cup has undoubtedly had repercussions that have affected both my career and my personal life. I have received threatening e-mails which, I believe, make it dangerous for me to return to Zimbabwe.”

Full Steam Ahead for

Three-Speed India

JOHANNESBURG — Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra and now Zaheer Khan have proved that three-into-one will go and it’s an equation that is taking India closer to their first World Cup final success since 1983. Before Friday, all the talk had been of Srinath and Nehra, with their destruction of Sri Lanka and England respectively. But against New Zealand on Friday, it was Zaheer’s turn to grab the limelight when he took 4-42 and passed the 100-wicket mark as he helped reduce New Zealand to 146 at Centurion to set up a seven-wicket win for India, their seventh win in a row. “I had been disappointed with my form so far. Javagal and Ashish have been playing really well so it was good for me to do so well and come to the party,” said Zaheer. “It’s a great feeling to have reached the 100 wicket milestone — it’s a great moment in my career. I’m happy that my inswinger, which I have developed in the last six months, is also working well.” Zaheer and Srinath, the daddy of the three, both have 15 wickets in the tournament; Nehra has 13 and the best average, a niggling 17. As India sight a World Cup title on March 23, the significance of the trio’s success here is bringing back memories of the role played by the seamers in the 1983 triumph when Kapil Dev, Roger Binny and Mohinder Amarnath inspired the country to their only world crown. Zaheer was just five-years-old then, but he is keen to learn from the old-timers. “All three of us are bowling well and Srinath’s experience has been invaluable. He passes on some valuable tips in the nets and has always stressed on us to keep a tight line and length,” said Zaheer.

Australia’s Pitch

Frustration Grows

DURBAN — Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has become the latest member of the reigning champions’ World Cup squad to express concerns over the state of the Port Elizabeth pitch where Ricky Ponting’s men are due to play their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Australia have had two narrow escapes on the St. George’s Park strip edging England by two wickets and surviving a six-wicket burst from New Zealand’s Shane Bond before recording a 96-run Super Six win. The pitch is being reviewed by the tournament organizers and Gilchrist has said using another part of the square may be the way to get more pace and bounce into the surface “I think the wicket we played South Africa on last year was on a different side of the square,” said Gilchrist. “It might be that side of the wicket is more conducive to a the one-day game and better suited to a showpiece occasion such as the World Cup semifinal.” Gilchrist’s teammate Darren Lehmann, following on from criticism of the strip by skipper Ponting, said urgent action was required. “The authorities had better have a good look at the Port Elizabeth pitch. Against New Zealand, it was a slight improvement on the strip on which we played England but it was still substandard,” Lehmann said.

Thanks for the Memories,

Says Retiring Flower

EAST LONDON — Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower yesterday confirmed his retirement from international cricket and thanked those who supported him during his 13-year career. Flower, 34, issued a statement during his final match, a World Cup Super Six clash against Sri Lanka here at Buffalo Park. He made it clear he was leaving Zimbabwe with his family but said he hoped to return “in years to come.” “For the last 13 years it has been an honor and a privilege to represent my country. The decision to bring my international career to an end has been a difficult and sad one to make. However, it is now time for my family and I to move on. Perhaps, in the years to come, I will be able to play a role in the cricketing fortunes of Zimbabwe. To all Zimbabweans who have supported me from my debut until today I want to say thank you.” Flower’s wife and three children have already moved from Zimbabwe to England.

Pollock Sacked as

S. Africa Captain

DURBAN — Shaun Pollock was sacked as South Africa captain yesterday after the host nation’s disappointing performance in the World Cup. Pollock, 29, was dismissed from the job after meeting selectors on Friday. South Africa failed to reach the second round of the tournament. A statement from the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) said it had been decided to strip Pollock of the captaincy with immediate effect. “An announcement tomorrow will name a replacement captain,” the statement said. “Shaun is a valuable member of the national squad and one of the world’s best all rounders,” said UCBSA chief executive Gerald Majola. “He will continue to play a vital role in the team.” South Africa failed to qualify for the Super Sixes. They were eliminated after a tie with Sri Lanka in another rain-affected match decided by the Duckworth-Lewis method. Pollock said afterwards the South Africans had miscalculated the target. However, the Johannesburg Star newspaper reported that many high-ranking figures want Pollock out following the team’s failure.